Warner Bros./Mattel’s Barbie earned $162 million, $6 million more than predicted, including a $43.7 million on Sunday.
Oppenheimer, too, debuted better than expected, with $82.4 million in 3,610 theatres for the biggest debut by an R-rated movie in 2023 thus far, surpassing John Wick: Chapter 4‘s $73.8 million – and the sixth best opening weekend of the year to far. This Ken is rewiring R-rated box office history.
Barbie made a variety of box office records in addition to being the biggest launch of 2023 and surpassing The Super Mario Bros. Movie‘s $146.4m in April.
Great Gerwig‘s movie produced the biggest opening weekend by a female director (eclipsing Captain Marvel‘s $153.4 million in 2019); the biggest debut from a non-sequel, non-remake in July (eclipsing 2016’s The Secret Life Of Pets on $104.4 million); and the biggest debut by a film based on a toy (eclipsing 2011’s Transformers: Dark Of The Moon on $115.9 million).
Barbie also earned Warner Bros.’ largest non-sequel, non-DC opening since It premiered in 2017 with $123.4 million, as well as $49.5 million in advance purchases.
Besides, box office analytics corp EntTelligence says that, “Barbenheimer is going to pull in approximately 18.5M patrons this weekend. Other than Spider-Man: No Way Home in 2021 (20M patrons), this is the most foot traffic EntTelligence has monitored, for a three-day new opening film or combination of films, since our formation during the dark period of the pandemic.”
